By Glazyl Y. Masculino
TRIGGER WARNING: SELF-HARM/SUICIDE
BACOLOD City – A call center agent died after she was stabbed by her Canadian husband who also stabbed and slashed himself inside their apartment in Barangay Singcang-Airport here yesterday.
Police withheld the name of the 50-year-old victim upon the request of her family. Her husband was identified as Ronald St. Jean, 55.
Captain Glenn Montaño, head of Police Station 8, said they received a call for assistance past 7 a.m. from the couple’s neighbor after they heard them arguing.
Montaño said the couple was reportedly having a heated argument about their finances, which triggered St. Jean to stab his wife in the chest.
When police responded, the suspect allegedly used pepper spray on one of the policemen, prompting them to step back.
Montaño said the suspect then went to their bedroom, where he also stabbed himself in the chest and slashed his wrist.
Police negotiated with him to surrender the bladed weapon, but he refused.
Montaño said the suspect even asked for water and when he stood up, he slipped on the floor. This prompted the police to neutralize him.
Montaño said the negotiation lasted for about 40 minutes. The couple was taken to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here. The victim was declared dead on arrival, while the suspect later passed away, he added.
Montaño said the couple was renting the apartment for three months after they returned here from Canada. They have two male children aged 7 and 11 who were brought by their helper to the victim’s family when they figured in a heated argument that morning.
Montaño said the couple had previous arguments, but this was the worst argument they had that led to their deaths.